Generational change in business: dead end or new opportunity?
Hungarian businesses, many of them Hungarian companies, have been operating successfully for decades, but they often face challenges during the generation change. What happens if the owner's children do not want to take over the company and the owner cannot or does not want to sell it? This situation often seems like a dead end, but in fact there are many solutions. In this article, we will show you how to navigate through this complex situation and how a coaching provider such as CoachLab Coaching Services (CoachLab.hu), in solving the problem.
Why is the generational shift not working?
There are several reasons why generational change may fail:
- Children have other plans
Younger generations often choose other career paths or do not feel prepared enough to run a business. For example, if a parent in a family business has spent decades building the business, it can be a difficult burden for children to shoulder. - The owner cannot let the company go
Many owners feel that the business is their life's work and find it hard to imagine someone else running it. This is a barrier to transferring or selling the business. - No adequate strategy
Generational change requires detailed planning and strategy. If this is lacking, the business can easily reach a dead end.
What can we do? Possible solutions
1. Company restructuring or revaluation
If children do not want to take over the business, it may be worth considering the future of the company. For example:
- Involving professional management: If the family cannot or does not want to run the company, bringing in an external manager may be the solution.
- Reassessing objectives: It is worth rethinking your business goals and strategy to make it more attractive to the next generation.
2. Sale or merger of a company
If the owner does not want to continue running the business, but the children do not want to do so either, a sale or a merger with another company may be the solution. However, this requires detailed preparation and strategic planning.
3. Setting up a foundation or social enterprise
In some cases, the company can be transformed into a foundation or social enterprise, which makes the company more sustainable and gives it new goals.
4. Mentoring and knowledge transfer
If the children are willing to take over the business but do not feel prepared, the parent can take on a mentoring role. This can help to transfer knowledge and build confidence.
How does coaching help generational change?
Generational change is a complex process that often involves emotional and strategic challenges. A coaching provider like CoachLab Coaching Services (CoachLab.hu), can help in many areas:
1. Strategic planning
Coaching helps you think about the future of your business and develop a long-term strategy. This may involve restructuring, selling or revaluing the business.
2. Emotional support
Generational change often involves emotional difficulties, such as saying goodbye to the old system or uncertainty about the future. Coaching helps the owner and the family to cope with these emotions.
3. Improving communication
Communication within the family is often a barrier to generational change. Coaching helps to develop open and effective communication between family members.
4. Knowledge transfer and mentoring
Coaching can help parents to effectively pass on their knowledge to the next generation and mentor them in running a business.
5. Exploring new opportunities
If your business has hit a dead end, coaching can help you explore new opportunities, such as entering new markets or trying innovative business models.
Example: the story of a successful generation change
Imagine Peter, a 60-year-old owner of a multi-billion turnover company and a managing entrepreneur, who has been successfully running his family business for decades, which started as a small business but has grown into a multi-billion business. Peter has two children, Anna and Balázs. Anna lives abroad and is not interested in entrepreneurship, while Balázs wants to work in a different field. Peter feels he has reached a dead end.
A CoachLab Coaching Services (CoachLab.hu) helped Peter to think about the future of the business. During the coaching, it became clear that the company could be transformed into a less time-consuming business model, which could be led by an external manager. Peter also decided to turn the business into a foundation to support the local community. This way, the business will continue to exist and Peter can be proud of his life's work.
Summary
Generational change in business is not always easy, but it doesn't have to be a dead end. With the right strategy, communication and support, new opportunities can open up. A CoachLab Coaching Services (CoachLab.hu) offers tools and methods to help you secure the future of your business, whether you are restructuring, selling or revaluing.
If you are in a similar situation, don't hesitate to ask for help. Generational change is an opportunity - you just need to find the right path.
